homesteading

Homesteading Hiccups: 7 Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Lack of Planning

One of the biggest mistakes that homesteaders make is jumping into the lifestyle without thorough planning. Homesteading requires careful consideration of various factors, such as land, resources, and infrastructure. Before starting your homesteading journey, take the time to evaluate your goals and needs. Consider the size and location of the land you’ll need, the availability of water and other resources, and the necessary infrastructure for your intended activities. Proper planning will help you avoid costly mistakes down the road and set a solid foundation for your homesteading venture.

2. Overestimating Abilities

Another common mistake is taking on too much too soon. Homesteading involves various tasks, from gardening and animal care to construction and maintenance. It’s important to understand your personal limitations and seek help when needed. Start small and gradually expand your homesteading activities as you gain experience and confidence. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from experienced homesteaders or professionals in specific fields. Remember, homesteading is a journey, and it’s better to progress steadily than to become overwhelmed and discouraged.

3. Ignoring Climate and Local Conditions

Homesteading is highly dependent on the local climate and environmental conditions. Ignoring these factors can lead to significant challenges and setbacks. Take the time to understand the local climate patterns, including temperature ranges, rainfall, and growing seasons. This knowledge will help you choose appropriate crops and livestock, design effective irrigation systems, and make informed decisions about homesteading practices. Adapting to the local conditions will increase your chances of success and ensure the sustainability of your homestead.

4. Poor Financial Management

Successful homesteading requires effective financial planning and management. Many homesteaders underestimate the financial aspects of their venture and end up facing financial difficulties. To avoid this mistake, create a realistic budget that includes all the necessary expenses, such as land purchase or rental costs, infrastructure development, equipment, and ongoing maintenance. Explore different ways to generate income from your homestead, such as selling produce, eggs, or handmade products. Keeping track of your expenses and income will help you stay on top of your finances and make necessary adjustments along the way.

5. Ignoring Animal Care

Proper animal care is paramount if you plan to raise animals on your homestead. Neglecting the needs and welfare of your animals can lead to health issues, decreased productivity, and even legal consequences. Take the time to understand the specific requirements of each species you raise, including shelter, nutrition, and healthcare. Here are some animal specific examples:

Chickens: Provide a mobile range coop that allows for adequate space for nesting and roosting, and can be moved to different areas of your homestead. Ensure proper ventilation and protection from predators. Offer a balanced diet of commercial poultry feed supplemented with kitchen scraps, grains, and greens. Provide access to clean water and consider offering calcium supplements for egg-laying hens. Regularly check for signs of illness or parasites and seek veterinary care when necessary.

Goats: Construct a sturdy and predator-proof shelter with ample space for goats to rest and seek protection from the elements. Provide a diet consisting of good-quality hay, fresh forage, and goat-specific feed. Ensure access to clean water at all times. Regularly trim hooves and administer vaccinations and deworming treatments as recommended by a veterinarian.

Cows: Provide a spacious and well-ventilated shelter with proper drainage and bedding. Offer a balanced diet of fresh grass, hay, and grain. Ensure access to clean drinking water and mineral supplements. Regularly check for signs of illness or injury and seek veterinary care when needed. Implement a regular deworming and vaccination program.

Pigs: Construct a sturdy and secure pen or pig house that allows for adequate space for rooting, sleeping, and protection from extreme weather. Offer a balanced diet of commercial pig feed supplemented with fruits, vegetables, and forage. Provide clean water in a sturdy and spill-proof container. Regularly monitor for signs of illness or parasites and seek veterinary care when necessary.

6. Neglecting Maintenance and Infrastructure

Homesteading is a long-term commitment, and neglecting maintenance and infrastructure can have serious consequences. Regular maintenance and repairs are essential for the smooth operation of your homestead. Establish a routine for checking and maintaining your buildings, fences, machinery, and other infrastructure. Prioritize infrastructure development based on your needs and goals, ensuring that you have the necessary tools and facilities to support your homesteading activities. By investing time and effort into maintenance and infrastructure, you’ll prevent costly breakdowns and ensure the longevity of your homestead.

7. Failure to Adapt and Learn

Homesteading is a dynamic and ever-evolving lifestyle. Failing to adapt and learn from your experiences and mistakes can hinder your progress and limit your success. Stay open-minded and embrace continuous education. Attend workshops, conferences, and classes related to homesteading. Seek advice and guidance from experienced homesteaders who have faced similar challenges. Learn from their successes and failures, and be willing to adjust your practices and techniques accordingly. The more you learn and adapt, the greater your chances of building a thriving and sustainable homestead.

Takeaway

In conclusion, homesteading can be a rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle. However, avoiding common mistakes is crucial for a successful homesteading journey. Thorough planning, realistic expectations, adapting to local conditions, effective financial management, regular maintenance, continuous learning, and proper animal care are all key aspects to consider. By learning from the experiences of others and striving to avoid these common mistakes, you’ll increase your chances of creating a thriving and sustainable homestead.

Source: fluxmagazine.com

Historian of Jewish Homesteading: Teach Fuller History!

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Speaking of history, Rebecca Clarren, author of The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance, says we need to teach a fuller, richer history than the blinkered “Yay, colonialism!” pap of South Dakota’s new gubernatorially imposed social studies standards:

“Our failure to teach American history in its full and nuanced complexity leads to ignorance, which saps empathy and allows racism and hatred to flourish,” she wrote, “which keeps our caste system in place, which keeps marginalized people poor and disenfranchised, which allows the dominant class to maintain a historical narrative that is inaccurate in its simplicity” [Seth Tupper, “The Cost of Free Land and Either-Or History,” South Dakota Searchlight, 2023.11.20].

Every one of us should have an interest in amplifying Clarren’s history, our history of benefiting from imperialism, and talking about what we should do to remedy our unfair advantages:

Ultimately, I hope that readers of The Cost of Free Land will be inspired to find themselves in this American story of the dispossession of Indigenous lands. To help, I’ve collected the resources that were helpful to me when I set out to attempt to untangle this complicated history. Because no matter when your family arrived in this country, all of us who aren’t Indigenous benefit from the fact that our country was built on the unfair taking and sometimes outright theft of Native lands. Broken treaties cleared the way for the foundation of our highway systems, our cities and our industrial agriculture. The sale and leasing of former Native lands funded public universities that have offered low-cost tuition to millions of Americans. Many of us have access to cheap power from hydroelectric dams that flooded Indigenous lands. Throughout its history, up to this moment, the United States has made choices to benefit settlers and their descendants at the detriment of Native Americans. This is our inheritance. What we do about it now is the question [excerpt from Rebecca Clarren, The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance, in Politico, 2023.09.29].

Seth Tupper notes that talk like that will likely get Clarren’s book banned in South Dakota schools:

In the current political climate, I don’t know how many South Dakotans are open to Clarren’s message. Some will dismiss it as an example of “critical race theory,” the academic framework that’s become a code phrase for any history that makes white people uncomfortable.

As for this fifth-generation South Dakotan, I think the book aligns with the common sense we claim to have inherited from our pioneer forebears: When you’ve wronged someone, you should listen and apologize. And then you should try to make amends [Tupper, 2023.11.20].

Hey, history teachers: the Hillsdale standards the Governor imposed on you over your own colleagues’ better judgment include requirements that you teach students “westward expansion’s effects on relationships with Native Americans” (5.SS.6), the “land speculation and settlement” that arose from the Homestead Act (9-12.USH.13.G), and the impact of the Homestead Act on South Dakota history (9-12.USH.15.G). It’s not hard to make the case to your administration that Clarren’s book helps meet those standards. And even the most prominent intellectual on the committee that rubber-stamped the Hillsdale Standards will agree that we need to get back to having kids read books! Order Rebecca Clarren’s book today and put it on your students’ reading list!

Source: dakotafreepress.com